Black Hills National Forest Announces Seasonal Hiring

Rapid City, SD, February 12, 2026 — The Black Hills National Forest is hiring seasonal employees for the upcoming recreation season and is encouraging local residents to apply.

Seasonal employees are the backbone of summer operations—keeping campgrounds, trails, and recreation sites open, safe and welcoming for visitors. These positions offer meaningful work, hands-on experience, and the chance to support public lands close to home.

The Black Hills National Forest is recruiting for a variety of roles, including:

Recreation and visitor services
Trail and facility maintenance
Active resource management
These positions are in addition to seasonal fire hire events, already underway. Bringing on seasonal employees will help improve trails, campgrounds and facilities for safer, reliable and enjoyable recreation experiences for all.

How to Apply

Applicants can view open job announcements and submit applications through USAJOBS.gov.

Application periods, qualifications, and start dates vary by position. Applicants are encouraged to review job announcements carefully for deadlines and required materials.

Additional information about seasonal hiring and upcoming local recruitment events is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills.

Working for the Forest Service

To learn more about Forest Service careers, benefits and upcoming hiring events, visit [fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/careers]fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/careers.

-USDA USFS, Black Hills National Forest